Embossing and printing machine



Jan. 9, 1934. p A GARDNER, JR 1,943,068 l EMBOSSING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed sept. e, 1952 4 sheets-sheet 1 lill/1111111!lll/1111111111'IIIA Jan. 9, 1934. P A GARDNER, JR 1,943,068

EMBOSSING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheetl 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 9, 1934. P. A. GARDNER, JR

EMBOSSING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept 6, 1.932

Jan. 9, p A. GARDNER, JR

EMBOSSING AND PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept., 6. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Figli?.

Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNETED STATES lii EMBOSSHNG AND PRINTING liAGl-HNE Prince A. Gardner, Jr., St. Louis, Mo.

Application September 5, 1932. Seriai No. 631,762

16 Claims.

This invention relates to embossing and printing machines; and has special reference to machines designed and adapted ior use in making imprints of names or other notations, or of designs or characters, upon leather or other mateunoperated position, the

rials either before or after their fabrication into completed articles.

An object oi this invention is to provide an embossing and printing machine having a pivoted type carrier equipped with means for holding the printing or embossing type or dies therein during the operation of the machine to perform these intended functions, in combination with latching or retaining devices for holding the type carrier out of its operative position and in a position n which the type carrier may be conveniently loaded with the desired type or dies or in which the type or dies may be conveniently removed from the type carrier.

Another object of the invention is to equip the machine with a supporting platen upon which the work or material to be imprinted is mounted, in combination with improved gaging means for locating and centering the worl; or material upon the platen preparatory for operation of the print ing mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying many of the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a iront elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the work support and one oi the gaging devices on the line 3--3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view of the type carrier approximately on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the platen approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical iront to rear sectional View of a portion of the platen and one of the gaging devices approximately on the line 6--6 of Fig. l.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the machine in an type carrier being extended upwardly to iacilitate placement or removal of the type or dies.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation ci the machine shown ing the printing or embossing mechanism in its operated position.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9 9 oi Fig. 8 showing the latcl ing device for supporting the type carrier in position to be loaded or unloaded.

(Cl. 10i- 3) Fig. l0 is a vertical iront to rear sectional View approximately on the line lil-1G of Fig. 2.

Fig. li is a cross sectional view of the plunger and the guide therefor approximately on the line ll--ll or Fig. 10.

Fig. l2 is a cross sectional view oi the plunger and the guide therefor approximately on the line 12--12 of Fig. 10.

Fig. i3 is aperspective View of a combined spring support and plunger guide of the type shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

Fig. 11i is a View approximately on the line lei-ifi of Fig. 1 showing the guides for the gage members, the top plate or" the platen being removed.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing an alternative form oi mounting for the plunger that supports and operates the type carrier.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view approximately on the line 16-16 oi Fig. 15.

Fig. 1'? is a side elevation showing an alternative form oi latch. device for holding the type carrier in different adjusted positions, the type carrier being shown extended to position to facilitate placement or removal of the type or dies.

Fig. 1 8 is a view of the same device showing the type carrier extended to position for operation.

Fig. 19 is a front elevation or" the type carrier extended to position fon operation.

Fig. 2o is a view showing another alternative form of holder for the type carrier, whereby the type carrier is held in different adjusted positions.

Fig. 2l is a sectional view approximately on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20.

The machine comprises a rigid base 1 in connection with which is a rigid upstanding frame member 2 having a forwardly extended portion 3 in connection with its upper end. A bearing guide 4 is rigid on the end of the forward extension 3 and in said guide a plunger 5 is mounted for vertical sliding movements. A lever 6 has one end mounted on a pivot 7 supported by the forward extension 3 of the frame. This lever 6 extends forwardly over and beyond the upper end of the plunger 5 and the forward end of said lever 100 is depressible to aotuate the plunger 5 downwardly in opposition to its supporting spring.

A roller 8 provides contact as between the plunger 5 and the lever 6, so that the lever will not slide rictionally against the upper end of the plunger. 105

The base i extends forwardly to or beyond the vertical line to which the handle 6 extends. Thus, the machine cannot be tilted forwardly when the handle 6 depressed because the base 1 extends forwardly beyond the vertical line in which the 110 I operative positions.

pressure applied by the handle operates when the handle is forced downwardly.

The plunger 5 may be in any desired shape or form. It may be cylindrical or rectangular in cross section. A cylindrical form of plunger is shown in Figs. l, 7 and 16 and in other views of the drawings featuring details of the cylindrical plunger.

My invention comprises an important feature consisting of means for preventing the plunger 5 from oscillating about its vertical axis or from becoming tilted or inclined and for taking up and compensating for any wear to prevent such oscillation or inclination of the plunger. As shown (Fig. 10), the plunger 5 is tubular and is formed with a longitudinal groove 9 receiving a key l0 mounted in the upper end of the bearing guide 4 in which the plunger` is mounted. An approximately L-shaped key has its vertical portion 1l mounted in a slot in the lower portion of the bearing guide 4 and its horizontally extended portion 12 extending into a slot 13 in the lower end of the plunger 5. The vertical portion 1l extends into the groove 9 and the horizontal 12 extends through said groove and the slot 13 and well into the tubular plunger 5 so as to hold said plimger positively against oscillation or vibration about its vertical axis without interfeing with the longitudinal sliding movements of said plunger. In this embodiment of this invention, a spring 14 may be mounted in the tubular plunger 5 having its lower end supported upon the key arm 12 and its upper end pressing against the inner side of the upper end wall or" the plunger 5. Thus, the plunger 5 may be moved downwardly by the lever 6 in opposition to the power and energy of the spring 14; and when the pressure upon the lever is released, the spring 14 will expand and move the plunger 5 and the lever 6 upwardly to their unoperated positions.

In this construction, the guide bearing 4 is formed with a pair of ears 15 near its lower end, one at each side of the slot in which the key 11-12 is mounted. A clamping fastener 16 passes through the ears l5 and through an extension of the key 11-12 and is effective to constrict or draw together the lower portion of the bearing guide 4 and take up and compensate for any wear in said bearing or upon the plunger 5,

and thereby prevent vibration or oscillation of the plunger during its reciprocating movements. This is important because it prevents the printing or embossing impressions from being rendered indistinct or being blurred at the making thereof.

An arm 17 in rigid connection with the lower end of the plunger 5 extends forwardly and in the unoperated position of said plunger may abut against the lower end of the bearing guide 4.

A type carrier frame 1 has ears 19 at opposite sides of the arm 17, and a removable and replaceable pivot 20 passes through said ears and through the arm 17, thereby supporting the type carrier 18 for swinging movements from and to A rod 2l. extends longitudinally through the frame 18, being held from longitudinal movement by abutment washers 22 (Fig. 19) mounted on the ends of the rod between the inner ends of handles 23 and the ends of the frame 18. The handles 23 constitute means for rotating the rod 21. The rod 21 has right and left hand threads on the opposite end portion thereof intersecting at the middle of the rod. Clamping elements 24 are mounted for sliding movements on the type carrying frame 18 and are screwed on the right and left hand threads, respectively, that are formed on the rod 21. By this means the clamping members 24 may be moved toward each other by rotation of the rod 21 in one direction and away from each other by rotation of said rod in the opposite direction, and said rod may be conveniently rotated in either direction by use of the handles 23. These clamping members 24 constitute means for clamping and holding firmly between them any printing or embossing types or dies, or other imprinting or ornamenting means 25 (Figs. 17 and 18).

This improved type carrier has a longitudinal wall 26 along one edge thereof adjacent to the clamping member 24. This wall has therein a chamber 27 designed and adapted to receive an insertable and withdrawable electrical heating unit or element for supplying heat needed in some uses of this machine. This wall 26 performs the additional function of serving as an aliner for the type or dies placed upon the type carrying frame between the clamps 24.

In one embodiment of the invention, one of the ears 19 has two opposite lateral extensions 28, each having on its end a tapered projection 29. A block 30 is mounted for sliding movements on a lug 31 projecting from the side of the arm 17 and is retained on said lug by a holder 32. The slide 30 is provided with a rounded forward end 33 formed with a tapered notch 34 designed and adapted to receive either one of the projections 29, depending upon whether the type carrier 18 is extended downwardly or upwardly. A spring 35 supported by the arm 17 actuates the block 30 forwardly in position to be engaged by either one of the projections 29. The tapered formation of the projections 29 and of the notch 34 provides means for centering the type carrier 18 when said type carrier is extended downwardly and holds said type carrier from any vibration or oscillation when operated to perform its embossing or printing functions. This is because the block actuated by the spring 35 is pressed forwardly to receive into the notch 34 either one of the projections 29 and to bind upon said projections and thereby hold the type carrier from oscillation. A handle 36 rigid with the block 30 projects laterally therefrom and is manually engageable to retract the latch block 30 against the power of the spring 35 in order to disengage said latch block 30 from either one of the projections 29 and to permit free swinging movement of the type carrier from downwardly extended position to upwardly extended position, and vice versa.

The type carrier may be latched in different positions and may be mounted differently upon the arin 17. In the formation and arrangement just described, the wail 26 extends along that longitudinal edge of the type carrier 18 which is at the rear when the type carrier is extended upwardly and is at the front when the type carrier is extended downwardly. In this arrangement, the wall 26 at the rear of the upwardly extended type carrier constitutes a convenient back support and aliner for the type or dies when they are mounted upon the type carrier between the clamping members 24.

A slightly different arrangement is shown in 17 and 18. In this arrangement, the type carrier is reversed so as to extend the wall 26 along that longitudinal edge of the type carrier which is at the rear when the type carrier is extended downwardly for use, as clearly shown in Fig. 18. In this construction and formation, only one lateral extension 37 is used in the place of 'i the two lateral extensions 28, and this extension 37 is provided with a tapered projection 38 designed and adapted to be received in the notch 34 and to cooperate with the latch block 30 in the same manner as one of the projections 28 has its tapered extension 29. The ear 19 having the projection 37 in connection therewith has an elongation 39 on the end thereof provided with a tapered projection 40 and designed and adapted to be engaged in and disengaged from the tapered notch 34 in the end of the latch block 30. This supports the type carrier 18 turned forwardly about 90 from the position it occupies when it is extended downwardly and the wall 26 of said type carrier is along the lower longitudinal edge thereof and constitutes a support and aliner for the type or dies placed upon said wall between the clamping blocks 24.

Another alternative formation and arrangement is shown in Figs. 20 and 21 in which the latch block 30 is omitted Laterally extended arms 42 is connection with one oi' the ears 19 have holes 43 designed and adapted to be brought into registration with a hole 44 in the arm 1"( and to receive an insertable and withdrawable pin 45 in order to lock the type carrier 18 in either a downwardly extended position in which the type or dies thereon are presented with their faces downward or to support said type carrier in a position in which the wall 26 will support and aline the type when they are placed in the type carrier.

The construction and arrangement of this machine may be varied alternatively and in other formations than those mentioned and specifically illustrated without departure from the nature and principle of the invention.

The longitudinally movable plunger 5 may be of different formation than the tubular formation explained. For instance, said plunger may comprise a body 46 that is rectangular in cross section and mounted to slide vertically in a correspondingly shaped bearing in the guide 4 and retained therein by a guide plate 47 removably attached to the front of the bearing 4. A spring 48 mounted in the guide 4 seats upon the shoulder 49 in the inside of the lower end of said guide and has its upper end engaging an abutment pin 50 mounted in and projecting beyond the sides of the plunger 46. This abutment 50 constitutes an abutment for the upper end of the spring 48 and also an abutment to limit extent of upward movement of the plunger 46.

A platen or work support 51 may be formed or mounted on the base 1 of the machine. The forward end of this platen or work support is separated from a plate 52 by spacers 53, constituting guides for racks 54. These racks 54 are moved inwardly and outwardly and both of said racks mesh with an interposed pinion 55 rotative about an axle 56. Extent of outward movement of said racks is limited by abutments 5'?. The racks 54 are below the platen or work support 5l and have portions extending upwardly through slots 58 and connected with plates 59 mounted for sliding movements toward and from each other along the upper side ol the platen or work support 51. A gage plate 60 is connected to each plate 59 by a pivot device 61 and the inner edges of said platesV 60 are extended downwardly toward the platen or work support 51 by a spring 62 attached to the corresponding plate 59 and extending outwardly under a handle or lever 63 projecting outwardly from the plate 60 (Fig. 3). Because of the cooperative arrangement of the racks 54 and the pinion 55, these racks must move inwardly and outwardly in unison, at the same rate of speed, and the same distance at each operation. rlhe inner edge of either one of the plates 6D is easily raisable to permit any margin or other part of the work or material to be imprinted to be extended under the inner edge of said plate 60, while the inner edge oi the other plate 6G acts as an abutment for the other side edge of the work or material. Or marginal portions of the work or material to be imprinted may be extended under the inner edges of both plates 6G. The inner edges or" these plates 69 function as gages for alining and centering the work.

A gage device, including an inwardly extended portion 64 and a rearwardly extended horizontal portion 65, is mounted for forward and rearward sliding movements on and along the platen or work support 51 to cooperative relation with respect to the gage plates 6i). This angular gage device is attached to the forward end of a rod 66 extending for forward and rearward sliding movements through the upstanding frame 2 oi' the machine which supports a clamping device in the form o1" a set screw 67 adjustable to clamp against the rod 66 and thereby secure said rod rigidly in any selected adjustment to prevent displacement of the angular gage attached to the front of said rod.

A gage 68 is mounted for sliding movements along the gage part 64 and includes a projection 69 extending forwardly beyond the gage 64 and adapted to engage a side edge portion of the work or material mounted on the platen or work support 51. This gage 68 may be rigidly secured in any adjustment in which it is placed along the guide part 64 by adjustment of a clamping set screw 7U.

The type carrier 18 may be equipped with a projecting handle 71 and conveniently engageable in order to swing the type carrier from one to another of its adjusted positions. The provision of this handle '71 eliminates the necessity of using the handles 23 as handles for swinging the type carrier from one to another of its adjusted positions. It is desirable in some instances to avoid this use of the handles 23 because such use of said handles might possibly turn the shaft 21 to some extent and thereby operate or move the clamping devices 24 sumciently to release the type mounted on the type carrier.

This machine may be varied in other particulars than those specifically illustrated and mentioned without departure from the nature and principle and scope of the invention. I contemplate such variations as may be found expedient and advisable to adapt the machine for its varied uses. Without limiting myself in any unessential particulars, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:-

1. In a machine of the character described, a support for supporting the material to be imprinted or embossed, a plunger movable longitudinally toward and from said support, a latch device supported by said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said plunger, mechanism for supporting type in said type carrier to imprint or emboss the material on said support, and projections on said type carrier engageable with and disengagel able from said latch device. the engagement of said projections with said latch device being automatic and an incident to the movement of said type carrier to different adjusted positions.

2. In a machine of the character described, a

support for supporting the material to be imprinted or embossed, a plunger movable longitudinally toward and from said support, a latch device supported by said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said plunger, mechanism for supporting type in said type carrier to imprint or emboss the material on said support, projections on said type carrier engageable with and disengageable from said latch device, the engagement of said projections with said latch device being automatic and as an incident to the movement of said type carrier to different adjusted positions, and manual means for disengaging said latch device from said projections.

3. A machine of the character described coniprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a laterally extended arm rigid with the lower end of said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said arm for swinging movements from downwardly extended position to forwardly extended position, and a sliding latch mounted on said arm for holding said type carrier in each of said positions.

4. A machine of the character described co-; prising a longitudinally movable plunger, a laterally extended arm rigid with the lower end of said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said arm for swinging movements from downwardly extended position to forwardly extended position, a sliding latch mounted on said arm for holding said type carrier in each of said positions, and a spring for engaging said latch with said type carrier automatically and as an incident to movement oi said type carrier to either of said positions.

5. A machine of the character described comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a laterally extended arm rigid with the lower end oi said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said arm for swinging movements from downwardly extended position to forwardly extended position, a sliding latch mounted on said arm for holding said type carrier in each of said positions, a spring for engaging said latch with said type carrier automatically and as an incident to movement of said type carrier to either oi said positions, a

handle in connection with said type carrier for moving said type carrier to said positions, and means for disengaging said latch from said type carrier.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a support for the material to be imprinted or embossed, a plunger movable longitudinally toward and from said support, a type carrier pivoted to said plunger for swinging movements from position which the faces of the type on said type carrier are extended toward said support to position in which the faces of said type are extended from said support, a movable latch device supported by said plunger, projections on said type carrier for engagement by said latch device, and means for engaging said latch device with one of said projections automatically and as an incident to movement of said type carrier from one of said positions to another.

' 7. A machine of the character described comprising a support for the material to be imprinted or embossed, a plunger movable longitudinally toward and from said support, a type carrier pivoted to said plunger for swinging movements from position in which the ces of the type on said type carrier are extended toward said support to position in which the faces of said type are extended from said support, a movable latch device supported by said plunger, projections on said type carrier for engagement by said latch device, means for engaging said latch device with one of said projections automatically and as an incident to movement of said type carrier from one oi said positions to another, gage devices for gaging the lateral position of the material on said support, and a gage device for gaging the rearward position of the material on said support.

8. A machine of the character described comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said plunger and movable from one adjusted position to another, projections rigid with said type carrier, a sliding latch supported by said plunger and having a notch adapted to receive said projections and to support said type carrier in its diierent adjusted positions, and resilient means for holding said latch in engagement with said projcctons.

9. A machine of the character described comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a type carrier pivoted to said plunger and movable from one adjusted position to another, projections rigid with said type carrier, a sliding latch supported by said plunger and having a notch adapted to receive said projections and to support said type carrier in its different adjusted positions, resilient means for holding said latch` in engagement with said projections, a handle for swinging said type carrier from one position to another, and a handle member for releasing said latch device.

10. in an embossing and printing machine, a support, a type carrier pivoted to said support for swinging movements, mechanism for holding type in connection with said type carrier, projections rigid with said type carrier, a sliding block mounted on said support for movements toward and away from said type carrier and having a notch in its end that is toward said type carrier for receiving the extremities of said projections and thereby locking said type carrier in a selected adjustment, and means for holding said sliding block in engagement with said projections.

ll. In an embossing and println.or machine, a support, a type carrier, a wall rigid with one longitudinal edge of said type carrier for alining i the type mounted on said type carrier and for supporting a heating element, clamping devices cooperating with said wall to hold type in connection with said type carrier, a removable and replaceable pivot for supporting said type carrier in connection with said support in an adjustment in which said wall extends along the front longitudinal edge or along the rear longitudinal edge of said type carrier as desired when said type carrier is extended downwardly from said support, projections rigid with said type carrier, a sliding block mounted on said support for movement toward and away from said type carrier and into and out of engagement with said projections to hold said type carrier in either one of two adjusted positions, and a spring for actuating said sliding block into engagement with said projections.

l2. In an embossing and printing machine, a longitudinally movable support, a type carrier pivoted to said for swinging movements to and from' two different adjusted positions, means for clamping type in connection with said type carrier, a handle rigid with and projecting from said type carrier for moving said type carrier to and from said adjusted positions, a sliding latch member mounted on said support and having a notch in the end toward said type carrier, projections on said type carrier engageable in and disengageable from said notch, a spring pressing l'ou said sliding latch toward said type carrier, and a handle member in connection with said sliding latch for disengaging the same from said projections.

13. A machine of the character described comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, an arm rigid with and projecting forwardly from the lower end of said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to the forward end of said arm for swinging movements to and from position in which the type are extended upwardly above said arm, and a latch device supported by said plunger for engaging and holding said type carrier in position in which the type are extended upwardly and also in position in which the type are extended downwardly.

14. In a machine of the character described, a support for the material to be imprinted or embossed, a plunger movable longitudinally toward and from said support, an arm rigid with and projecting forwardly from the lower end of said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to the forward end of said arm, a latch device supported by said arm rearwardly from said type carrier, releasable interengaging portions on said type carrier and said latch device whereby said latch device will support said type carrier in either upwardly extended position above said arm or downwardly extended position below said arm as desired, and means for actuating said latch device toward said type carrier.

l5. A machine of the character described comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a forwardly extended arm rigid with the lower end of said plunger, a type carrier pivoted to the forward end of said arm beyond said plunger, a latch device supported by said arm for sliding movements toward and from said type carrier, and releasable interengaging means on said latch device and said type carrier whereby said latch device will hold said type carrier in downwardly extended position below said arm for effective operation or in position to receive type as desired.

16. A machine of the character described comprising a longitudinally movable plunger, a type carrier pivotally connected with the lower end of said plunger and having projections in rigid connection therewith, a latch device supported by the lower end of said plunger for sliding movements toward and from said type carrier and having a notch for receiving said projections, and means for holding said latch device in latching engagement with said projections in either of two different positions of said type carrier.

PRINCE A. GARDNER, JR. 

